Freeport’s biggest offensive threat, sophomore Josh Beale, tallied 16 points, but only five in the first half.

“You have to keep your body off of him because he plays well against contact,” said Carmody of Beale (6-foot-3). “He’s such a strong kid and he has a variety of moves. He’s a heck of a player.”

Freeport’s desperate attempt to get back in the game saw the Yellowjackets take 10 of their 11 field goal attempts in the third quarter from beyond the arc. They made five of them, but there was no catching the Planets (10-6, 7-1) on this night.

reeport (8-9, 2-7) is still very much alive for a WPIAL postseason berth. Kittanning currently holds the final playoff spot from the section with a 3-6 record.

“We are just two boys over the limit (for Class AA),” said Beale. “It is what it is, but we don’t use that as an excuse.”